From: Timothy Parker
Sent: Wednesday, August 14, 2024 9: 37 PM
To: jdacosta
Cc:
Subject: Outside Parklets
DearCityCouncilMembers,
My nameis TimothyParker, ownerof ChulaVistaBrewery, a businessI have proudly operatedalong ThirdAvenuefor the pastsevenyears. I am alsoa retired U.S. Navyveteranwith 20 yearsof service. I wasoneof the first to open my establishmenton ThirdAvenueand, likemanyothers, was severelyimpactedby the COVID-19 pandemic. Duringthat challenging time, the Cityof ChulaVistaprovidedmuch-neededsupportby allowing outdoor dining through the creationof parkletsalong ThirdAvenueand throughout the county.
Followingthe pandemic, the Cityformed a committeeto regulateand enhancethe appearanceof theseparklets. Thisresponsibilitywasgivento EricCrockettandKevinPointer. Unfortunately, it hasbecomeapparentthat they were working closely with Alan Castle, the true owner of Tavern and Vogue, who hasbeen found guilty of bribery involving a city official. Together, they beganto marginalizethosewho refusedto participatein their questionabledealings, includingmyselfand manyother businessowners. Asa result, thosewho alignedwith their interestswere allowedto maintaintheir patios, whileotherswereforcedto removetheirs.
Theoutcomeof this biasedprocesshasleft manybusinesses, including mine, at a significantdisadvantage. Whilea selectfew who sit on the board continueto benefitfrom outdoor dining space, the majorityof us, who investedour own resourcesinto thesepatios, wereforcedto dismantle them, losingboth moneyand customercapacity. Adding insult to injury, taxpayerdollarsandgrant moneyhavebeenusedto support the expansion of patiosfor thosefavoredby the committee, further deepeningthe inequality. Theassociationalsoharassall food trucksthat arenot associatedwith them. While, letting businesseslike3 PunkhaveFoodTruck WrittenCommunications - Item 5.3
Acosta - Received9/16/2024
out all day from openinguntil closein front of therepatio. TheVogueis takingup sixparkingspaces, they havesomuchspacetheycreatedthe storageunit in the street.
Moreover, these individuals have manipulated the downtown association for their own gain, pushing out military -owned businesses like mine and Fleet ReserveAssociation (FRA) for short, El Comal, Brew Bar, and ElCocina, all of which have suffered or been forced to close due to these unfair practices.
I am askingthe Cityof ChulaVistato addressthis inequity. If outdoor dining is to be permitted, it shouldbe madeavailableto all businesses equally, without favoritism. Everybusinessshouldhavethe same opportunity to utilizeoutdoor space, or none should. It is unacceptablefor a smallgroup to determinethe fate of others, especiallywhenit servesonly their own interests.
I urge the Cityto rectifythis situationand ensurethat all businessesare treatedfairly. Thecurrentstateof affairs, wherea selectfew benefitat the expenseof the majority, is not only unjustbut alsodetrimentalto the integrity of our businesscommunity.
Lastly, I believe it is essentialto investigate how the downtown association is using taxpayer dollars to fund their one -sided media campaigns, while preventing others, like myself, from having a voice unlesswe bear the significant cost out of our own pockets.
Thankyou for your attention to this matter.
Sincerely,
TimothyParker
Owner, ChulaVistaBrewery
RetiredU.S. NavyVeteran
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ChulaVistaBrewery
TimothyParker
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ChulaVistaBrewery
TimothyParker
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